During the 2015-16 NHL season, there will be 1,230 regular season games. As a spectator, preparing for attending each of them typically means the same thing each game. The controlled nature of the traditional experience leaves the game’s outcome as just about the only unpredictable element.
But on three days during the current NHL campaign, more than 170,000 spectators will experience the highest level of pro hockey in ways which will provide memories to last a very long time. The unique characteristics of the three outdoor games add unpredictability, uniqueness and a creative way to enjoy the world’s fastest team sport. No other sport has transformed its game in ways the NHL has since New Year’s Day 2008 and at a time where the experience could easily go stale, the league continues to keep things fresh with fans wanting more and more.
If you plan on going to the game or have interest in searching for a ticket on the secondary market, here are some things to consider before you go.
THE ELEMENTS – much like a football or baseball game, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Nowhere is that more relevant to hockey fans than at the outdoor games. While the conditions on the ice are usually pretty good during the Winter months, with technology and methods to insulate the desired conditions from threats, spectators are not as fortunate.
In January 2014, fans descended upon Dodger Stadium, enjoying a balmy temperature range of 60 to 80. This weekend in Minneapolis at TCF Bank Stadium, more than 50,000 fans will brave temperatures ranging from 26-40 on game day. While average for Minnesotans, this is 30-40 degrees below what it feels like at the Xcel Energy Center, where the Wild play their other home games.
After you come to terms with bundling up a little more than you would normally, then you face the other elements.
While the forecast calls for partly cloudy conditions, the sun will impact the view of the game and the ice conditions. In fact, to maintain fair competitive balance, if the weather conditions dictate so, the teams will switch ends midway through the third period.
And since Winter brings wind and snow, there is a good chance covering your face and shielding your head is a good idea in the event February weather decides to approach normal seasonal conditions. Take a peek at footage of the 2008 Winter Classic in Buffalo and you will see how much Winter can add to the outdoor game. It could not have been a better scenario for the NHL to have their inaugural outdoor game play out this way.
So bring sunglasses, dress extremely warm, insulated boots, gloves and hats. The league usually places a commemorative cushion on each seat and it will help with comfort.
THE VENUE – the games are held in the largest places, meaning your seat is so much further away than it would be in the team’s regular home arena. It doesn’t matter, though. People scoop up tickets for these games very quickly. The secondary market features tickets four to ten times face value and they still sell well.
It seems attending an outdoor game strikes the right balance in witnessing a sporting event spectators enjoy with a unique, sports party atmosphere. And the best seats are the ones furthest from the ice. For the game in Minnesota, the cheapest, face value ticket is on the ends, down low at $109 per seat. The most expensive seat has a face value of $449, is between the blue lines and facing the benches. The best value might be the $164 tickets high on the ends and in the corners.
Hockey is not often associated with tailgating, but the outdoor games involve a day of celebrating hockey in the manner football fans enjoy on Sundays. Golden Gopher football fans are used to TCF Stadium for their football games and the surrounding area will be filled with cooking and gathering long before the puck drops.
The standard uniform for the players also changes for the outdoor games. Larger numbers on the jerseys accommodate those in those $164 seats so they can see who is who on the ice when reliance on the Jumbotron cannot be trusted. And in each outdoor game beginning in the 2008 Winter Classic in Buffalo, the teams wear new uniforms as a means of spurning increased merchandise sales. Some end up being the club’s alternate uniform and are worn through the regular season. Even the goalies sport new masks and gear for the special game. It continues the theme of “new” in every way.
THE EVENT – the outdoor games are multiple days of a hockey festival. Spectator Plaza is filled with sponsors hosting interactive events, games and autograph sessions. You collect goodies and meet former players, enjoy all there is to experience of the hockey atmosphere in a lead up to the big game. You don’t even need a ticket to enjoy this part.
If you are fortunate to get a ticket, it is for two games, not just one.
Saturday is reserved for the always enjoyed Alumni game. In Minnesota, fans of the former North Stars and the current Wild are treated to a game where their stars come back to play the Blackhawks. The teams, largely stocked with players from the 1980s and 1990s take the ice in the late afternoon. A festive tilt, you can bet there will be so long-simmering rivalries rekindled among the players.
Sunday is the big game, start early with tailgating and maybe a trip to Spectator Plaza. Then enter the stadium as soon as you can, get a lay of the venue and take it all in. Typically, because the rink within the much larger venue surface required creative staging of things such as mini ice rinks with youth players playing, stages for musical acts which are sprinkled in throughout the day. When the Sharks hosted the Kings in 2015, the areas between the rink and stands comprised of a broad representation of the unique topographical properties California possesses.
THE FOOD AND DRINK – there is a good chance there will be more hot chocolate and coffee sold as compared to beer and soda. At least there will be a greater proportion of the hot beverages than there would normally be. And there is a chance that with being so cold, there might be less food consumed, the product of enjoying lunch during tailgating and simply wanting to stay warm, forgoing nourishment.
THE ATMOSPHERE – it is special, big, outside and includes so many of the things a normal, indoor, regular season simply cannot provide. This is why the league needs to be careful not to overdo it. They nearly did so during the first few months of 2014 when there were six outdoor games.
Having been to 11 Stanley Cup Final games, 3 All Star Games and 1 outdoor game, the 2014 Heritage Classic in Vancouver has provided a more lasting impression for me. Although witnessing the Blackhawks capture the Cup in Boston in 2013 was pretty special.
The key is taking it all in, all weekend long. Attending the regular season outdoor game and missing all of the other events would leave you missing out in a big way. Clear your schedule because this is a two-day, non-stop event.
THE MERCHANDISING
Like no other, the outdoor games represent a marketing bonanza. More sponsors, new marks associated with the NHL, a network TV broadcast and a host of new things to buy add up to something which comes as close to the uniqueness of a Super Bowl-style event as you get. The jerseys and related merchandise are all new and their launch dates are typically scheduled just in time for the Winter holidays. It gives time to build to an event, but never too late to accommodate those who want to jump in the outdoor game bandwagon close to game day.
The Alumni game between Minnesota North Stars/Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks takes place on Saturday, February 20th at 5:00 PM ET while the regular season game between the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks is set for a 3:30 ET face-off.
Follow me on Twitter at DMMORRELL and you can contact me at 
dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
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